By Jay An, Contributing Writer
Inside TECO Hall, groups gathered to hear from the mayor of the town of St. Leo, Vincent D’Ambrosio. The purpose of the town hall meeting, which was organized by Saint Leo University’s Student Government Union (SGU), was to discuss the identity of the town of St. Leo.
D’Ambrosio explained that. since Dade City and San Antonio surround the town of St. Leo, they need to expand their borders.
D’Ambrosio felt that St. Leo did not have a strong identity; therefore, he and Rafael Soto, an intern for the town and a senior majoring in political science, are planning to build a town center of the history and culture of St. Leo.
The mayor mentioned that there would be two internships available through Handshake, as the town of St. Leo has limited employment.
SGU Senator Luigi Meschino, a freshman majoring in political science, pointed out something most students are interested in: will the construction of the town center be coming from our tuition?
“This is completely different…it’s just a bonus that the university gets,” replied D’Ambrosio.
D’Ambrosio went on to say that the university should strengthen a sense of community, like the Saint Leo Core Value.
“But right now, we don’t have a sense of community outside of the university,” said D’Ambrosio.
When one of the audience members asked when the construction would be complete, D’Ambrosio replied that the town center’s structure is still in the initial stages.
Isabella Riano, a junior majoring in clinical psychology and the vice president of communications for SGU, was also questioned, as Riano was one of the organizers of the town hall that evening.
“The purpose of this meeting was for Mayor D’Ambrosio and Andrea Culvert (the Town Administrator) to talk a little bit about what they do to get students’ feedback and concerns,” Riano said.
Riano was also asked if the town hall meeting would profoundly impact the university.
“I think the meeting will have an impact on the people of Saint Leo because they are becoming aware that St. Leo is a town, not only a university, and they are also learning about internships…so, I am hoping it does have an impact on the university,” said Riano.
Another audience member that shares the same optimism about the impact on the Saint Leo community is Meschino.
“I think the impact of the meeting was very good,” said Meschino. “I believe Mayor D’Ambrosio executed it very well, and I’m very hopeful and very happy for the future of the town of St. Leo.”
Saint Leo’s community looks forward to the future and what will come.
